The Callous Truth about Bunions

Do you have a bunion? Is it causing you grief? Well there are many facts you may not know about bunion complications and causes that can help you determine if your bunion is livable or if you need surgery.

Bunions can be embarrassing, unsightly, irritating and even painful. If you have a bunion and it’s causing daily life to be a struggle, then you might need surgery. Our Beverly Hills-based, board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Kamran Jamshidinia, specializes in cosmetic foot surgery and bunion correction, and can help you get back on your feet and return to your normal life, worry and bunion free.

Who Gets Bunions?

While bunions can affect anyone, there are certain groups of people who are more likely to suffer from them than others. Unfortunately, the most common cause of bunions is heredity. If your parents or grandparents have suffered from bunions, you may be more likely to inherit this trait than those who have no family history of bunions.

Additionally, women tend to be more susceptible to bunions than men. In fact, women are nine times more likely than men to develop bunions, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. This could be a result of the female hormone estrogen, which can sometimes cause foot ligaments to loosen and promote the formation of bunions. Another cause of this statistic may be the types of shoes women wear, such as high heels, which can often be ill-fitting and hard on the feet. Any strain put on your feet may cause toes to be forced into awkward positions, which can then lead to bunions.

People with Type 2 Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis or gout may also be more prone to bunions, so if you have one of these diseases and are concerned about your risk for developing bunions, you may want to schedule a consultation with a board-certified podiatrist in Los Angeles to discuss bunion prevention and treatment.

Do I Need Bunion Surgery?

Candidates for bunion surgery are those with bunions that cause severe pain. Pain is considered to be severe when it interferes with your ability to perform everyday tasks, your ability to fit into shoes comfortably, or when it causes toe deformity or stiffness.

Some bunions may simply look unsightly, but actually cause no pain or stiffness. While it is possible to seek out a cosmetic procedure to treat these types of protrusions, a painless bunion is not rendered necessary for surgery. However, if your bunion is causing you severe pain, you may be a good candidate for surgery and should discuss treatment options with a podiatrist who specializes in bunion correction.

Bunion Complications

Treating a bunion during its early stages is recommended, as orthotics and certain exercises can help prevent your bunion from growing or worsening. Bunions usually begin as small protrusions swelling from the big toe joint, and this tends to cause calloused and sore feet. Over time, the bunion can grow and cause even more severe pain that may lead to the need for surgery.

Because bunions continue to progress, it is important to take preventative measures early on to help keep your bunion manageable.

Contact a Board-Certified Podiatrist in Los Angeles

If you feel your bunion is causing severe pain or discomfort, please do not hesitate to call the Bunion Surgery Center of Excellence at (888) 552-9732 and schedule a consultation with our board-certified bunion surgeon.

Dr. Kamran Jamshidinia has unique expertise in cosmetic foot surgery, with an emphasis on bunion correction. He uses the latest technology to perform minimally-invasive procedures that are done on an outpatient basis, and that require minimal recovery time.

The information available on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician’s judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions, and/or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

DISCLAIMER: Content on this website is not intended to serve as medical advice and should not be construed as such. Please see a medical professional in order to obtain specific advice for your medical conditions.